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Out-Nail Machine.

No. 196,869; Patented Nov. 6,1877.

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Out-Nail Machine.

N0. 196,869. Patented Nov. 6,1877.

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J. A. BIDWELL. Cut-Nail Machine.

No. 196,869. Patented Nov. 6,1877.

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fl cg/b mafia K) d!) Jfzueg UNITED STATES P T N O F E I JASON A. BInwEnmor CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN CUT-NAIL MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 196,869, dated November 6, 1877; application filed March 24, 1877. 0

To an whom it may concern:

Be it known-'that'I, JASON A. BIDWELL, of Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Machine for Making Tacks,-Nails, &c.; and Ido hereby declare the following to be'a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the.

tion, said view taken from the front and looking upon the right-hand side of the machine. Fig. 2 represents a view, in side elevation, of the main shaft, also a view, in cross-section, of each of its cams, showing their shape and relative position to each other, while the main shaft is at a fixed point, and while the machine is in the act of cutting a blank from the plate. The dot in the cross-section of this figure indicates the center or axis of the shaft. The dotted circular line represents the body of the shaft, the solid line the eccentric. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the discharging mechanism and its connected parts up to the main shaft. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the body-die Fig.

5, a similar view of the finger-bar; Fig. 6, a similar view of the hammer or heading mechanism. Fig. 7 is a detached view of the prcsser operating upon the feed-barrel. Fig. 8 is a view showing the connection between the main shaft and the'feeding mechanism. Fig. 9 is a detached view of the annular gear-rings forv rotating the feed-barrel. Fig. 101s a detached view of the locking-plate used upon the movable die and heading-die, the dotted lines in this figure showing the manner of removing said plate. Fig. 11 is a detached view of the device for holding extra plates and the extra pincher and scraps or uncut ends of plates. Fig. 12 is a view, in longitudinal section, of the moving body-die. Fig. '13 is a longitudinal section of the hammer or heading-die. Fig.

14 is a cross-section of the stationary or bed die. Fig. 15 is a longitudinal section ofthe toggle and the parts which it connects. This figure also shows the adjustable journal, whereby the degree of throw accomplished by the toggle is determined. Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section of the feed-barrel and its contained pinchen' My invention consists of the following parts and combinations, as hereinafter specified and claimed, wherein A is the main frame, of suitable dimensions, fashion, and material, to hold and accommo date the action of the various elements of my machine. A is a peculiar brace or arch extending over the machine from side to side, which serves as a resistance 'to the spreading of the frame, and also as a support to all upward pressure upon the main driving-shaft B. By the provision'of this brace-or arch A the machine is materially stifiened and strengthened against liability tov breakage during the I operation of the machine. i To the main .shaft 13 power for driving the machine is applied, and from said main shaft the entire machine is' operated. Along this shaft are placed five cams-the cam 0 operating'the delivering mechanism, the cam D operating the swinging or body die, the cam E operating the body-knife, the cam F operating the head-knife and partially the finger, cam G operating the fin ger-bar.

I will now proceed to describe the various parts operated by the cams just mentioned.

0 is a short cam, consequently quick in its motion. It operates the bell-crank 0 This bellcrank O, in turn, operates a second bell-crank, 0 set at right angles to the bell-crank G". The bell-crank G is limited in its return-movement by a set-screw, c, or its equivalent. To the long arm of the bell-crank G isattached a link or pitman, c, which connects said bellcrank with the discharging mechanism. The degree of motion impartedfo the discharger by the bell-crank O is regulated by an adjust ing device, whereby the length of the long arm of the bell-crank G is varied.

In the present instance, as one of several modes which might be adopted, I provide several recesses in the long arm of the bell-crank G, into any one of which maybe placed one end of the link or pitman c. As this link is placed farther toward the extremity of the long arm on the hell-crank G a longer throw will i be given to the discharger, and vice versa. A

spring, h, or its equivalent, operates to returnthe discharger afterit has operated; and, by its connection through the link or pitman a and the bell-crank it will be observed that the bell-crank C is always held in proper juxtaposition to the main shaft and its cam G.

The discharging mechanism is contained in the carriage of the swinging or movable bodydie, and may be described as follows: The projectin g lug or pin h extends outside of the carriage containing the discharging apparatus, and upon this pin operates the link or pitman c and the returning-spring h. This pin h is attached to the carrier H, which rests in'the endof the movable die and extends through its carriage, and is made to abut against a setscrew, H. To the end of the carrier H, opposite the set-screw H, in the case of a tack-machine, are attached two springs, which, when free, spread apart, so as to remain in juxta= position with both the movable and stationary body-dies, and thus present one or the other against the finished tack, as it may adhere to 'either the stationary or movable die.

When the dies are brought together these springs "are closed, and are so placed as to offer no ob-- 'struction or impediment to theproper operation of the dies or machine.

In case the machine is used for manufacturing -nails,screw-blanks, bolts, or the like,

vious thatsuch an anvil-support is not neces sary, inasmuch as the tapering or bevel form of the tack, held snugly in the dies, as it is when the head is formed, dispenses with the necessity of any anvil or supporting device.

The particular conformationof the body will prevent it from being'driven longitudinally throughthe dies whenthe head is being formed. But in the case of a nail-bolt or screw-blank, there is not sufficient tapering to prevent its being driven longitudinally through the dies by the action of the heading device, and therefore in such case the springs h are replaced by a simple pin or bolt, that shall abut against the pin or bracket H, and thereby serve as an anvil or support while the headis being formed.

This change from the spring to the simple pin or bolt may be made as necessity requires without afl'ecting in any way the spirit of my invention; and it is obvious that one may be substituted'for the other in the cases and for the reasons above mentioned. I As the cam 0 is brought into operatic against the bell-crank C the discharger will be driven forward, and will operate to free the room for the next succeeding blank.

The cam D operates the movable bodydie D. This die is, carried in a swinging lever, B, wlnch also serves as a carriage for said die. This lever is one of the second order,

with its pivot or fulcrum upon the main frame at d, its weight at the die, and its power at the cam D. It contains and carries the discharging apparatus and the movable die, and is returned from its operative position and held in proper juxtaposition against its cam Dbya suitable connection with a spring, 01, or. its equivalent.

I will now describe the movable die and its accompanying apparatus. This die, as heretofore stated, is contained inand carried by the swinging carriage D; and, as heretofore declared, the character of this die may be modified, as it is desiredto manufacture tacks, nails,

bolts, screw-blanks, or other products, the only alteration required being merely in the conformation of the die itself.

It is necessary that the face i of the die I)? should rest against the face of its opposite or stationary die snugly, accurately opposing and fitting against it, as the body of the tack or 'other'product would be imperfect otherwise. To accomplish this I make the die D adj ustable to its opposite or stationary die intwo ways: first, so that it shall, present at a proper level with the said die; and, second, so that it shall come into proper contact 'with it. i

This adjustment I accomplishas follows: Beneath the die D is placed a wedge, d resting upon a counter-bevel seat, so that the upper face of the wedge shall be presented in a line parallel with the axes or direction of the die proper.

Upon thelevel face of this wedge rests the die D'. This wedge is made movable, and by its movement .upon its counter bevel seat the die I), resting upon it, will be raised or lowered.

The wedge d is manipulated by means of the adj usting-screw d or its equivalent.

Instead of the wedge apparatus just men};

tioned, a modificationmight be had by counterbeveling the under surfaces of the die D, so

that the connection betweenthe die and wedge would be the same as between the wedge and its counterbevelcd seat j ust mentioned-to wit,

the raising or lowering of the die as the wedge is moved in one direction ortthe other. By this means the up and down position of the -die is adjustable,and the set-screw D determines the forward and backward position of the dieD and by means of this set-screw,

'or its equivalent, said die is brought suf- 1ficiently forward to fit snugly against its fellow or stationary die. When the die D is properly adjusted it is clamped firmly in po-- sition by the piece 1)". This locking-piece is provided with two slots, made at an angle to each other, preferably at right angle. Clamping-screws or their equivalents enter these by the action of a spring, g.

' knife is fixed upon alever, E pivoted to the main frame. A spring, E or its equivalent, operatesto return the lever after the knife E has operated, and, also serves to hold the lever E properly against its cam E. t

, I prefer the connection here shownbetween the spring E and the carriage E which consists of a link-connection between the two. Y

The knife E is formed of a single broad flat piece, and is held in position in its carriage by the clamp-hook e. ThiS',G1&1I11)-h00k is so constructed as 'to provide a broad," flat bear ing upon the central portion of the body-knife,

E and when it is secured by turning the nut upon the rear of said hookclamp the knife is held firmly in position, so that cocking is impossible.

Cam F operates the head-knife F and also partially operates the finger. This knife, like its neighboring knife E is fixed and carried I in-a similar lever, pivoted to the frame as the 1ever, E and provided with a spring constructed and acting the same as the spring E above specified. This knife is also of a similar' character, in general construction, to the knife E, and,like said knife, isheld in posi-,

tion by a clamphook, which affords abroad, fiat bearing upon the central 'portioni-of its face. The cam F operates to carry'the knife F farther down than the knife E is carried, andthus extra motion is imparted to the fin- ;ger, in a manner and for a purpose which will hereinafter be noticed.

The cam Gr is a short or quick cam, whose office is to. operate the finger-bar G This it does by impinging upon a lever, Gr? of the first order, whereby a retreating movement is imparted to the finger g. '1 When the cam G hasfinished its operation the finger ,g and its fin ger-bar G? are returned to the former position The finger g is made adjustable upon itsfinge'r-bar by a slot and bolts. This slot may be made either at the-butt-end of the finger or in the finger-bar, where it is attached, and asst-screw fixes it in any adjusted position. The finger-bar G has also a downward motion in addition to'its retreating motion. This downward motion is imparted by the pressure of thehead-knife F, and when released fromthis pressure it is returned to ,its former position by an upward pushing of the spring g".

.The finger-bar Gr is made adjustable in two directionsto "wit, its upward throw, and its approach toward the stationary or bed knife. This adjustment is accomplished by two setscrews, g g, or their equivalents. The finger this coupler the finger-bar G is attached, and

is permitted a horizontal vibratory movement.

Thus is said finger-bar allowed the double movement just. mentioned-to wit, the vertical and horizontal.

The finger-bar G is hung and adjusted so that it shall swing on a center nearly coinciding with the axis of the hammer or heading device, so as to allow the finger gto be carried down in the arc of a circle to the center of the dies, or to a position where said dies receive the blank held between the head-knife I andthe finger 9. Upon the end of the main shaft B, beyond the cam G, is fixed the gear-wheel B. Upon'the gear-wheel B is a crank-pin, to which is attached the link .13,

connecting the wheel B and lever B. This lever is one of the second order, and is oper-.

ated from said gear-wheel B by means of the 'link'B. Its fulcrum or pivot isupon the main frame, and it is designed to operate the hammer or heading mechanism. The connection between the lever B" and said heading mechanism is by the toggle B having spherical end bearings, and operating in journalrecesses made in the upper face of the lever B ,videld'in the leverB for the piece B This bearing is made adjustable up and down through the set-screwB where lost motion can always be readily taken up, and thusaccommodation made for wear. Not only does this setscrew B, in raising and lowering the. spherical j ournal-box, operate to take up lost motion, as just described,- but it also performs another important function-to wit, adjusting the throw of the hammer-carrier in such manner that, when the lever B shall have reached its maximum up motion, the hammer shall be presented squarely and properly against the blank in the dies to be headed.

. Proceeding to a description of the hammer or heading-carrier I and its contained parts, attention is first directed to the carrier itself. It isessentially a lever of the second order. Itspivotor fulcrum is upon the main frame, its weight is the hammer, and its power is re-. ceived'through the piece B r After the hammer-carriage has completed its operation whereby the hammer is-brjought into action, it is returned by forcev of the spring I until again brought forward for a succeeding stroke of the hammer. The hammer is held between -two clampingblocks, I, the two forming what may be termedthe hammer-socket. This socket contains the hammer proper I and hammer-butt I. The hammenbutt is tempered, and may be a trifle smaller in diameter than the hammer proper. By this means, when the blocks T are brought firmly together, the hammer shallbe firmly clamped and held in position. The hammerbutt I is provided merely for the purpose of affording an interposing substance between the dies and adjusting-screwP. The hammerpiece I is made fiat upon one end, and concave, conical, or otherwise upon its other end; or a variety of hammer-pieces I maybe provided, the fashion of whose ends shall determine the shape of the head of the product to ing device in its carriage. and the manner of its adjustment, are like that heretofore described and represented by the letters D D D d d d d all of which refer to the movable bodydie and its accompanying parts, whereby it is fixed and adjusted. The wedge ar rangement is the same, the locking the same, and the set-screws perform a similar ofiice. A set-screw is provided that shall operate the wedge heretofore described, whereby the hammer I? shall be raised or lowered, and thus be brought to a proper level with the center of theend of the blank to be headed; and the other set-screw above it determines the forward movement of the hammer, so that it shall approach more or less near the body-dies, and thus produce a thicker or thinner head to the product to be manufactured. If the set-screw is so adjusted asto permit a shorter throw of the hammer a thicker head will be produced,

and vice versa.

In order to remove the hammer for repairs,

' all that it is necessary to. do is to remove its locking-piece, corresponding to the lockingpiece l) heretofore mentioned, and the ham-- mer-socket I and its contained part can be readily lifted out without distnrbingany of the neighboring parts.

. Coming now to a description of the bed knife K, it will be observed that this knife is v a simple flat piece, beveled upon its two edges. This knife is made of a width sufficient to cut the required blank, .and is placed in such relation to the knives E F that a shearing cut'is given to the plate from which i the blanks are severed. The bevelsides'of the bed-knife K fit into eounter-bevels, and

' these beveled surfaces operate, when the knife is clamped in position, to hold 'said knife firmly down in its place, and at the same time hold the stationary die firmly in place.

This bed-knife lies over the bed-die K 1 This die is fixed and stationary, and to this die the movable or swing die D and the hammer Pare made adjustable, as hereinbefore specified. i i y Onone side of thebed-knife Kis amovable and adjustable gib, K. By meansof this gib, whose counter-bevel is made to fit the bevel side of the knife K, said knife is clamped and held in position, and this is accomplished by screws K or their equivalent, whereby the gib K is'forced against the knife K, and there by holds it firmly in position.

When necessary to removethe knife fonthe purpose of repair or substitution, or to get at the stationary die K; it is only IIBCGfiSfiIYwtO loosen the gib K, when the necessary parts may-be readily removed without materiali disturbance, or without removing the nose-piece of the plate-feeder. i

The gib K is provided with slots, through which its attaehingscrews pass, by which a ing or looseningthe knifeK.

side motion ofi said gib isallowed for tighten- I come now to a description of the plate feeding mechanism. This mechanism is pri marily actuated from the gear-wheel B,which meshes into the gear-wheelLjournaled in'the main frame A. The wheel B bears the proportion to wheel L of one to two. Its shaft passes through said main frame, and upon the inner end of it is attached a crank, L1. This crank has an' adjustable pin, whereby isi governed the length of throw given tothe lever L This lever ispivoted into 'themain frame, and has two arms, being essentially a bellcrank. One armreceives its motion from the pitman Lflwhich motion is transmittedby the other arm of the crank L to the feeding mechanism through the connecting-bar L Along this bar is provided the expanding-screw L which is a nut having twoopposingfemale screws working upon thebroken bar L, by the turning of which nut L one way or the other the bar Lis lengthened ornshortened for the purpose of giving the desired throw to y .the parts to which it is connected. This bar L connects the'bell-cranki lever L withibellcrank lever M of the feedinghmechanism. The

bell-crank M imparts'a reciprocating motion.

through the link M to the bar M. This bar moves in a suitable guide,M and carries two opposing racks, M M, which mesh into two loose annular gear-rings,iM9M,fitted upon the barrel 0. The. annular gear-rings M M' move in: opposite directions to 1 each other, as the-racks M M travel up .and downti :Each of these annular gear rings M M carries a spring-pawl, passing in thedirectionl which it is desired that the nose-piece should turn; and upon the feeding-barrel is placed twolugam' m, which act as'ratchetsto thepawls m on,

By this arrangement itl will be seen that eachvof the annulargear'rings-Mi Ml moves idly in a backward direction until itspawl has passed the lug or ratehetflil M. y

To impart a forward or return movement,

' rear'fingers of the pincher R 196,869 7 g in one orthe other of the pawls m m engages with lug on or m therebygiving an intermittent rotary motion, always in the same direction, to the feeding-barrel O and its contained;

plate.

nearly its entire length, for the accommodation of the spring-latch O". This spring-latch is fixed to a ring, 0, encircling the barrel 0. In this ring is an annular groove, into which fits the fork-carrier O". This arrangement allows of a free rotation of the ringO and the s barrel 0. The latch O has upon its under surface a lug or catch, which engages. in an annular groove made in thebody of the pinchcr,

due upwardmovement of the nose-piece or barrel, while at the same time this pressure is not rigid, but gentle and elastic, and at the same time allows of a free side or lateral movement to. the barrel and its nose-piece. This presser P is carried upon the end of the bar P which telescopes into the tube P This tube is pivotedto and swings from the post P A spring-connection is made between the post and the bar I? by means of the spring P or its equivalent, and this spring acts to hold the presser down with sufficient force upon the barrel 0. The post P is set intothe' mainframe A,'and is fastened at any desired depth by the set-screw P As the post P is set 'deeperinto the main frame A the tension of Y the spring will be increased, and vice versa. Therefore the degree of pressure exerted by the presser P is goVer-nedjby the strength of the spring I? and the depth to which the post P f'lS set within the main frame A; I q i l The nose-piece O of my device does not differ essentially from this element in machinesof a similar nature to the one here described. Itmay be of any suitable construction. I have provided my machine a peculiar spincher. It is composed of a body, B. This may be hollow, and into the'rear end of it fits the clamping-screw It. This screw is provided with a plain cylindrical end, conically pointed, which plain end engages between the These fingers are jointed and pivoted into the forward end of the body It. A spring, R operates to open the fingers B when the action of the screw R is'released; but when the conical end of the screw R engages with the pincher-fingers R itoperates to closethe parts projecting beyond the body R, and thus to clamp and secure the plate R held between them. 'Near the pinching extremities of the fingers R is provided a lug orstop-piece, R which serves to limit the entering motion of the nail-plate,

The barrel 0 has a slot, 0, provided along preventing it from being placed in too far, while-at the same time this lug or'stop-R entering-a recess, R in an opposite finger, serves to guide the pinching mechanism.

Upon the body R, as heretofore mentioned, is provided the annular slotr, into which sits the lug upon the lower face of the spring-latch O The ring 0 together with its latch O ,'engag ing with the annular slot r, acts as a feeder to carry forward the plate B. This function is accomplished through the fork-piece 0*, be fore mentioned, which is attachedto the bar S. i This bar is also provided with anarmed pawl, S, which may, when required, be made to engage with the ratchet-bar S whereby the bar S and its carrier, and consequently the plate R can be stopped at any time without stopping any other part of the machinery, in-

- asmuch as the engagement of the pawl S"- with the ratchet-bar S stops any-forward move ment of the feedin g-ring 0 This bar is moved forward by force of a coiled springwithina drum, S connected to the bars through the cord S? passing: over the drum S and thepul Instead of the spring-drum S? a suspended v weight might be substituted, which wo'uldoperate in the same manner. The degree of tension of the spring within the drumS is governed by turning the" arm S" one way or the other, by which the spring (one end of which is attached to the shaft and the other to the drum)'-is wound or unwound. The

equivalent of this action upon the weight would be to add to or take from said weight, whichconld easily be done. 'I always prefer, however, the spring arrangement 'or its equivalent here shown, inasmuch as with this a quick, accurate, and certain delivery of the plate is assured, whereas in case of the employment of a weight this function might not at all times be so wellperformed.- In case of the spring just mentioned the arm Sinay beset at: any desired point, by means of the pin S being placed at different-points to hold *the arm S inany desired position. 1 It will be observed that the'bar S, the ratchet S the spring-drum S and'pulley S are all fixed .upon aswinging frame, T, supported by the main frame A. The method of attachment between the frame T and the main frame is such as to permit not only of a horizontal and vertical movement to the said frame T, but isalso such as to render said frame-ad justable vertically and horizontally {on the said 1 frame A. The vertical and horizontal motion-is imparted by the double right angle joint connecting the bar T with the frame A and the vertical and horizontal adjustment is provided for as follows: the vertical through the screw and nuts T the horizontal by means of the slots T inthe journal-bracket carrying the frame T and attached to the main frame A. The post or standardsupporting the entire feeding mechanism is also made doubly adjustable-that is, vertically and laterally.

It is made vertically adjustable by the post U being split, and one portion thereof provided with a slot, U and set-screw U.

The post U, where it is connected with the feeding mechanism, is provided with I a slot and setscrew. This is necessary, as theparts to which it is fixed moveupon the arc of a circle as they come up or down; and this motion is accommodated by the slot and set-screw U in the top of i the post U. In order to stiifen this split post, and always keep it in line, one split face is slotted, and the other split face is providedwith a lug entering thisslot. This affords a bearing, whichoperates, as specified,

to strengthen and stifien the split post U. The foot of the post U is set in a slot,U, made on the arc of a circle concentric with the pivot upon which the swinging frame T turns. By this provision the feeding device can be presented at any desired lateral angle to the knives of the machine, while, by theprovision of the split post, it can be lengthened or shortened. Said feeding device can be presented at anydesired vertical angle with said knives, and this angle adjusted and fixed as desired by the mechanism shown.

Each machine should be provided with duplicate pinchers, so that while one is in the machine the other can be suppliedwith afresh plate, and thereby less time be lost than though a single pincher were employed.

To enable a machine to be cared for with 'less trouble and expense,I provide a recess and this detachable device is made sufliciently light, so that it can be easily carried to the place where the scraps should be deposited.

Operation: Power is applied to the main shaft B in any suitablemanner; and in a machine constructed as shown in the drawings,

the main shaft is intended to revolve in a direction toward the feeding mechanism. The cams O D E F G are so formed and adjusted as to impart to the general mechanism a variety of functions in the order. and inthe manner as herein specified. The plate R, from which the blanks are to be cut, whether it be for the manufacture of nails, tacks, bolts, screw-blanks, or the like, is held by the pinch er B, and is made to present through the nosepiece of the feeder in the usual manner. The angle at which it is presented to the knife maybe adjusted both laterally and vertically, as may be desired, by the adjusting mechanism heretofore described as being embodied inthe generalfeeding mechanism. The spring.- .feed herein described operates to drive forward the plate R whenever. .theknivesrise sufiiciently to permit of its slipping between them. -The extent to which the plate is permitted to be fed is gaged by a suitable stop placed beyond or upon the movable knives. This stop I have not shownin my device, in asmuch as any suitable stop may be used. I

prefer an adjustable stop, however, whereby feed movements of different extent may be gaged and determined. Thisstop, however,

forms no part of my invention. After the plate has been received betweentheknives the reciprocating knives descend, and, in con nection with the stationary or bed knife, im-

part a shearing cut, whereby the blank is separated from the plate. The head end of the blank is held between the head-knife F and the finger g; and the cam I*, which operates the head-knife F is so arranged that it shall operate to carry down said head-knife to such extent that the blank shall beyproperly presented for being griped between the bodyldies.

This 'griping between theuies is the next {operation of my machine following the cutting of the blank and its delivery to such dies, as

just described. After the blank has thus been seized the finger is made to retreatand clear.

a passage for the approach andoperation of the hammer or heading-die I... The hammer or heading-die I, now brought into operation, forms ahead upon the blank, the dies at the same time compressing it and giving shapeto its body. During this operation it is held firmlyin position either by the dies themselves or together with the abutment H This abutment is made adjustable for blanks of different lengths. As soon as the hammer or headin g-die I has performed its function it retreats.

The dies then separating, the discharging apparatus is called into play by the action of the cam O, wherebythe finished product is cleared and discharged from the die.

While the hammer or heading-die is operating, the knives have again arisenandtheplate advanced for the cutting of the next succeedin g blank. Itis cut from its plate and brought down for reception between the dies, as heretofore described, as the hammer retreats. As

each die-blank is out from the plate said plate j is given a rotating motion, so as that the next succeeding blank shall be cut from its oppo site face. Instead of a reverseor reciprocating motion being given bythefeeding mechanism, an intermittent motion always in the same direction is imparted.

One important advantage which I have atitained in the construction "of my machineis this: that the feeding-plate B may be are rested at any point without the stoppageyof any part of the machinery. This is accomplished by throwing the arm-pawl S into engagement with its ratchet-bar, thus arresting its feeding motion at any desired point. p

Another important advantage is also secured by my invention through the annular slot 1" made in the body of the pincher. By this provision, in combination with its engaged lug of the spring-latch 0 the nose-piece, through which the end of the plate passes, is enabled to present said plate properlyto the cutting-knives; for if any winding or twist exists in the plates, which is a common occurrence, the twist, which otherwise causes binding at the nose-piece, is accommodated by the annular slot and spring-latch heretofore mentioned, inasmuch as the pincher is permitted to turn in either direction.

While one plate is being fed to the machine the duplicate pincher, which every machine should be provided with, may be armed with a fresh plate. For convenience in this respect I have provided the arrangement shown at V V, &c. The apartment V contains fresh plates.

When a plate has been used up in a machine its pincher is removed and replaced by one having a fresh plate. The removable pincher is placed so as to lie in the rest V and V while a fresh plate has previously been placed in rests V and V As the screw in the rear of the pincher is retracted, the fingers will open and the scrap end of the plate will drop in the apartment V, immediately after which a fresh plate is inserted between the fingers of the pincher resting in V V.

By the arrangement V V, &c., a single at tendant may easily be able to keep several machines in active operation without the loss of time which would necessarily occur if only a single pincher were provided each machine,

or if no convenience existed such as Ihave described for the arming of the pincher.

As the apartment V becomes filled with scrap ends it may readily be detached, and, being made of light material, be carried to any place where it is desired to deposit the scrap ends.

What I claim is 1. In a machine for making tacks, nails, and the like, the combination, with the oscillating frame of the griping-lever, of the dischargepin H, situated in said frame, and adjustable abutment, located in the main frame of the machine, substantially'as described.

2. The combination, with the finger g, of the finger-bar G, the coupler g and bracket 9 substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the independent annular gear-rings M M and collar placed between their adjacent ends, of the racks M M", guide-bar M attached to the rack-frame, and guide M, substantially as described.

4. In a nail or tack machine, the combination, with racks M M and means, substantially as described, for reciprocating said racks, of a revolving feed-barrel, provided with annular gear-rings and means for locking said gear-rings to the said barrel as they are turned in one direction, substantially as described.

5. In a. tack ornail machine, the combination, with aframe having the racks M M rigidly secured thereto, of a revolving feedbarrel, 0, annular gear-rings M M, provided with spring-pawls m m and ratchets or, lugs m m upon the feed-barrel, substantially as stantially as described.

8. The combination of the pincher R and its annular slot 4", the feeding-collar 0",- the latch 0 and nose-piece O, substantially as described.

9. In amachine for making tacks, nails, and the like, the combination, with the oscillating frame, of the discharging-pin H, pin h, cam

, O, bell-crank C 0 connecting-rod c, and adjustable abutment H, substantially as described.

10. The combination of the presser P, telescope-arm P P, and post 1?, substantially as described.

11. The combination, with the presser P, swiveled to the longitudinally-adjustable arm P, of the hinged bar P, standard 1?, and spring P substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the rotary feeding-collar 0 forked carrier 0, and slide connected to a spring by a cord, of the ratchet-bar S and pawl S, substantially as described.

' 13. The combination of collar 0 forked carrier 0 bar S, pawl S, and ratchet-bar S, substantially as described.

14. The combination of the hammer or heading-die I and two-part clamp or socket I with the supporting-wedge and locking-plate D substantially as described.

15. The combination, with the bell-crank lever L and suitable actuating mechanism, of the divided rod L, adjusting-nut L bellcrank lever M, racks M M, and annular gearrings on the revolving feed-barrel O, substantially as described.

16. The combination, with the bell-crank lever M and means for actuating the same, of the racks 'M M, gear-rings M M, guide M bar M and link M, substantially as described.

17. The combination, with the plate-holder It, provided with an adjusting-screw, R, and annular groove 1", of a revolving barrel, 0, collar 0, and spring-latch 0 substantially as described.

18. The fingerbar G, journaled on the point or pivot in line with the axis of the hammer or heading-die, substantially as described.

19. The finger-bar G, in combination with springs g 9 substantially as described.

'20. In combination with "the feeding mechdie K, whereby said die is held down firmly anism of a machine for making tacks, nails, in posltion, substantially as described. screw-blanks, and the like, the apartments 0 In testimony whereof I have signed my m rests v" v v 11 all contained in a single name to this specification in the presence of frame onstructure, said structure being made two subscribing witnesses. readily detachable fi'omthe main frame A, sub- JASON A. BIDWELL.

stantially as described. Witnesses:

21. The combination of the beveled knife FRANCIS TOUMEY, K, its counter-bevel seat, and the stationary WILLIAM BEH mNs. 

